Mesembryanthemum 'Harlequin' Seeds
If you have a hot, dry spot where nothing else survives, 'Harlequin' is the answer. This spectacular South African succulent (often called the "Ice Plant") produces a low carpet of fleshy, crystalline leaves that sparkle in the sun.
But the real show starts when the sun comes out. The daisy-like flowers burst open in a neon explosion of colour—vibrant pinks, oranges, apricots, and yellows—often with contrasting white or red inner rings (the "Harlequin" pattern). They are nature's solar panels, opening wide to catch the rays and closing up tight in the evening or on dull days to protect their pollen.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Mesembryanthemum is a Half-Hardy Annual.
It originates from the South African desert, so it is built for drought and heat.
The "Ice" Effect: Look closely at the leaves and stems—they are covered in tiny, transparent papillae that look like frozen water droplets or ice crystals. This is how the plant stores water!
Top Tip: Do not overwater! This plant hates soggy roots. It is perfect for shallow containers, rockeries, or hanging baskets that get neglected.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
The seeds are tiny (like dust), so handle with care.
Germination:
Sow indoors from February to April. Scatter the dust-like seeds on the surface of moist, sandy compost. Do not cover them—they need light to germinate. Cover the tray with glass or plastic to keep humidity high. Keep warm (18-21°C). Germination takes 7-14 days.
Where to Sow:
They demand full sun. Shade is fatal (the flowers simply won't open). They need very free-draining, sandy or gritty soil. They are perfect for tucking into the crevices of a stone wall.
Care While Growing:
Plant out only when all risk of frost has passed (June). Once established, you rarely need to water them. Deadheading the spent flowers will encourage them to keep blooming until the first frost.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Dorotheanthus bellidiformis (syn. Mesembryanthemum) |
| Common Name | Livingstone Daisy 'Harlequin' |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ (Crucial!) |
| Height | ↕️ 10cm - 15cm (Ground Hugging) |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 15cm apart |
| Great for | 🏜️ Rockeries 🏺 Hanging Baskets 🧱 Dry Walls 🏖️ Seaside Gardens |
| Seed Count | Approx. 1000 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
These low-growing sun lovers pair perfectly with other drought-tolerant annuals:
- ☀️ Californian Poppy 'Golden West': The California-Africa Mix. Both plants thrive in poor, dry, sandy soil. The silky orange cups of the poppy look fantastic rising above the neon carpet of the Livingstone Daisies.
- 💜 Alyssum 'Royal Carpet': The Scented Edging. Alyssum loves the same conditions (rockeries/edges). Its deep purple flowers provide a solid background colour that makes the neon 'Harlequin' flowers pop even more.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Plant out in June. Flowers June to September.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This plant is a lifesaver for insects in urban environments. It provides a rich source of nectar in hot, dry conditions where other plants would struggle to produce any food at all.
- Regular price
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£2.30 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.30
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